Norwich City have sacked Chris Hughton with five games of the season remaining. Let me just repeat that point: a team currently five points above the bottom three have dismissed their coach with only five matched left. Has Delia Smith and her boardroom pals lost the plot?
Chief executive David McNally says the owners had “no choice” but to make the drastic move. What thought process could possibly lead to that statement? Why wait until the eve of the team’s biggest game of the season before taking that step? The players must now compete against Fulham without the man who has led them to decent results in most of their showdowns with other relegation candidates. Bad timing is putting it lightly.
As long as Hughton remained in position Norwich were more likely safe than not. Much has been said of the Canaries’ daunting final four fixtures, including trips to Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, but with the experienced leader on their touchline surrender would never have been an option.
Their home form has been an asset throughout the year and before Monday I couldn't see any of the bottom three gathering six points from a possible fifteen (8 from 24 for Sunderland) without even a modest reply from Carrow Road. After this recent announcement all that is in doubt.
Now, with a coach of no senior managerial experience hastily appointed, the Norfolk club have suicidally weakened their chances of survival. Neil Adams needs to be ready for a tough fight because he is about to receive a Premier League initiation from hell.
Recent history suggests that a dressing room revolution this late in the season only accelerates a squad’s plunge towards the Championship. Terry Connor had a rough ride with Wolves, Iain Dowie practically buried his career at Hull and even Alan Shearer could not save Newcastle’s plague-ridden ship from hitting the rocks in 2009. Thankfully for the Tynesiders, Hughton was on hand to manage the life boat amidst the wreckage.
Of course, in later times the discovery of his employee’s admirable honesty, dignity and humble spirit was too much for Mike Ashley to cope with so a totally unnecessary replacement was called for. Has history repeated itself at Norwich?
The consistent criticism of Hughton from the East Anglian faithful has been ridiculous to the point of lunacy. 26 goals scored may be a substandard total but few men could have squeezed more out of a particularly weak squad.
Let’s be honest; Norwich has not had a good team since Chris Sutton and Ruel Fox (who?) were on their books twenty years ago. A reality check is needed to spark the realisation that 17th is a respectable finish for a club of their stature in 2014.
I sincerely hope Hughton can eventually find a club that will appreciate his work properly. Meanwhile, if Norwich miraculously escape the worst repercussions of their decision this season then I suspect they will still be a lot worse off this time next year.
Will chairmen ever learn? Probably not.
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